2015 Opportunities for Action
Local Implementation Grants:
GRANT GUIDELINES
Local Implementation Grants
The 2015 Local Implementation Grants support local community involvement in the implementation of the
comprehensive management plan, Opportunities for Action: An Evolving Plan for the Future of the Lake
Champlain Basin (plan.lcbp.org). Grant funds are anticipated through pending agreements with the National Park
Service, Great Lakes Fishery Commission and Environmental Protection Agency. Eight categories of grants are
available: (A) Pollution Prevention & Wildlife Habitat Conservation, (B) Aquatic Invasive Species Spread
Prevention, (C) Flood Resilience and Climate Change, (D) Impervious Surface Management in Schools, (E)
Watershed Organization Support for Road Maintenance, (F) Education and Outreach, (G) Organizational
Support, and (H) National Heritage Area Grants.
Descriptions of these categories of Local Implementation grants – including the purpose, eligibility information,
and selection criteria for each – are provided below. Please read this information carefully and match your proposed
project with the most appropriate grant category before proceeding with your application. These descriptions are
followed by general guidelines that pertain to all grants and should help you prepare a competitive grant
application. We encourage you to contact LCBP staff if you need further explanation of the requirements and
policies summarized here. PLEASE NOTE: These guidelines are not applicable to other LCBP grant programs.
No more than one unique application may be submitted by the same organization in any single category. Each
application must be submitted to one (and only one) of the grant categories listed in Sections A-H below.
ALL grant proposals submitted in response to this RFP, with field-based components to their project, MUST
provide some assurance of invasive species spread prevention measures in their application. More information
about invasive species spread prevention procedures can be found on the LCBP website, here:
http://www.lcbp.org/water-environment/aquatic-invasive-species/aquatic-invasive-species-spread/.
Groups with current LCBP contracts must be in good standing (i.e., all deliverables that are due have been received
by LCBP) to be eligible to apply for additional funds. New project work must be distinct from currently contracted
work in both objectives and deliverables. Extensions of ongoing projects with new tasks and deliverables will be
considered if groups demonstrate satisfactory progress on the current grant.
PLEASE NOTE:
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An electronic copy of applications for the (G) Organizational Support ($4,000 limit) and (H) CVNHP
Local Heritage Grants MUST be received in the LCBP office in Grand Isle, VT by 4:30 PM EST,
Friday, August 28, 2015.
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An electronic copy of applications for all other grant categories identified in this RFP MUST be
received in the LCBP office in Grand Isle, VT by 4:30 PM EST, Thursday, September 24, 2015.
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Submissions should be made via email to grants@lcbp.org in MS Word or a Word-compatible
format. Hardcopy, PDF, or faxed submissions will not be accepted.
Lake Champlain Basin Program and Opportunities for Action
The Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP) is a partnership among the States of New York and Vermont, the
Province of Québec, the US Environmental Protection Agency, the National Park Service, the New England
Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission, other federal and local government agencies, and many local
groups, both public and private. Created by the Lake Champlain Special Designation Act of 1990 and reauthorized
in 2002, the LCBP’s goal is to work cooperatively to protect and enhance the environmental integrity and the social
and economic benefits of the Lake Champlain Basin, primarily through implementation of Opportunities for
Action. Successful implementation of the plan is achieved by developing partnerships among natural resource
agencies, citizens, and other lake and watershed stakeholders throughout the Basin. Since 1992, the LCBP has
sponsored over 975 local projects.
Opportunities for Action (November 2010) calls for actions addressing water quality, toxic substances, living
natural resources, recreation and cultural heritage resources, economics, education and outreach, monitoring, and
data management. The plan also calls for the active involvement of local communities.
Opportunities for Action is available from the LCBP office or online at http://plan.lcbp.org/.
Grant Guidelines for all Local Implementation Grants
All local grants will be reviewed by an external review committee and evaluated based on the selection criteria
listed for each grant category, described more fully below. The following guidelines pertain to all Local
Implementation Grant applications. They are provided to help you submit a competitive grant application.
Letters of Participation and Support
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Signed letters confirming the participation of each major partner involved with your project (if any) must be
attached to your application (PDFs of these letters are acceptable).
A maximum of three additional letters of support may also be included. (PDFs of these letters are acceptable)
All letters must be submitted with the application.
Be aware that if projects will take place on private property, written landowner permission will be required at the
time of workplan development. Landowner permission notice does not count as a letter of support.
Local Match Contribution (optional)
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While non-federal match is not required, applicants should clearly document any intended source(s) and use(s) of
such match contributions in the budget section of your application.
General volunteer hours (work days, trainings, etc.) for optional in-kind match are usually calculated at $10-15
per hour. Specialized volunteer work (computer consulting, accounting, etc.) can be calculated at a higher rate.
Funds from federal government sources may not be used for matching contributions.
Project Workplan Development
Within thirty days of LCBP grant award notification, applicants must submit a detailed project workplan, which is
subject to the LCBP approval process before a contract will be issued. The workplan describes the project’s
methods, timeline, deliverables and budget. If a project is selected for funding, LCBP staff will provide the grant
recipient with workplan guidance. We strongly encourage all applicants to visit the LCBP website for more
information on the LCBP grant process: http://www.lcbp.org/about-us/grants-rfps/grant-toolkit/.
Project Time Period
Award notification is expected by late September, 2015 for the Organizational Support and CVNHP Local Heritage
Grant awards, and by late November, 2015 for all other grant categories identified in this RFP. Workplans must be
submitted within thirty days following award notification. Projects must be initiated within six months of award
notification. Usually, projects should be completed within one year of the official project start date. Other time
periods will be considered if warranted.
Memorandum of Agreement
Following approval of the project workplan by LCBP, each award recipient will enter into a formal memorandum of agreement
(MOA) with the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC), which administers local
implementation grant funds on behalf of the LCBP. The MOA will describe the project’s timeframe, LCBP supported budget,
and required deliverables. Recipients will enter into MOAs with NEIWPCC via an electronic agreements process. For more
information, please see NEIWPCC’s guide to electronic contracting: http://www.neiwpcc.org/contractors/guidance.asp.
2015 LCBP Local Implementation Grants: Application Guidelines, Page 2 of 11
Quality Assurance Project Plans
Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPPs) are required for all activities involving the collection, generation,
compilation, management, analysis, evaluation, and/or use of environmental data. When necessary the successful
applicant will prepare a QAPP as part of the project workplan. It is possible that some grants might not require a
QAPP – depending on the scope of the workplan. Please contact LCBP staff if you think your project might require
a QAPP. The QAPP must be fully-approved by LCBP before any environmental data collection or analysis
activities can begin on this project. For projects requiring a QAPP, LCBP will not pay for any data collection or
analysis activities started prior to development and receipt of a fully-approved QAPP. The QAPP development and
approval process can be quite lengthy (up to 90 days, depending on the size of the project), so please make sure that
an appropriate amount of time has been allocated to this step in the project budget and timeline. More information
about the LCBP QAPP process can be found on the LCBP website, here: http://www.lcbp.org/about-us/grantsrfps/grant-toolkit/qapp/. Please contact Stephanie Castle, LCBP Technical Associate, at scastle@lcbp.org or 802372-0220 prior to submitting your application if the proposed project involves data collection or analysis.
Please note: Projects for the 2016 field season are appropriate for this funding cycle. The earliest a new QAPP will
approved will be January 2016 so applicants should not plan for projects requiring a QAPP before that time.
Exceptions for generic or continuing QAPPs will be considered.
Aquatic Invasive Species Spread Prevention Measures
ALL grant proposals submitted in response to this RFP with field-based components to their project MUST provide
some assurance of invasive species spread prevention measures in their application. If you have any questions
regarding whether or not your project may require spread prevention measures, please contact Eric Howe, LCBP
Technical Coordinator, at ehowe@lcbp.org or (802) 372-3213.
Payment Procedures
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LCBP funds will be available on a reimbursement basis only in response to your invoices documenting the
eligible costs you have incurred. Invoicing will be based on completion of deliverables identified within the
workplan budget.
Groups should expect a 4 to 6 week turn-around time from when the LCBP receives your invoice to the time
when you receive payment.
The LCBP cannot reimburse for work done prior to the official MOA start date or after the MOA end
date. If you anticipate project work extending beyond the MOA end date, contact the LCBP immediately to
discuss whether you may be eligible for an amendment to your project that extends the timeline.
Following LCBP approval of invoices, payment will be issued by NEIWPCC.
Reporting and Publicity
Your contract will require you to submit brief progress reports at the close of each calendar quarter and a final project
report at the conclusion of your grant. Also, you may be asked to prepare press releases citing the LCBP as a funding
source at the project’s inception and conclusion. LCBP report templates are at: http://www.lcbp.org/about-us/grantsrfps/grant-toolkit/.
Funding Acknowledgements
All press materials and printed products from your project must acknowledge the Lake Champlain Basin Program,
the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission, and the original source of federal or non-federal
funding. Each local implementation grant MOA will contain a funding acknowledgement statement that grant
recipients should use on their project-funded products. Additionally, inclusion of the LCBP and NEIWPCC logos,
available from the LCBP Grant Tools webpage http://www.lcbp.org/about-us/grants-rfps/grant-toolkit/, may be
appropriate on published materials supported by the grant. To determine what level of crediting is appropriate,
consult your designated LCBP Project Officer.
2015 LCBP Local Implementation Grants: Application Guidelines, Page 3 of 11
Appropriate Use of Funds
About Direct and Indirect Costs:
The LCBP encourages groups to budget costs that are associated with the project as direct expenses, including
personnel costs, travel, project supplies, mailings, phone costs, office supplies, etc. However, use of some grant
funds for indirect costs also is allowable, subject to both the provisions of OMB Circular A-87 and LCBP approval. If
you need further guidance, contact the LCBP or look refer to http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars_a087_2004.
Sections D, E, and F of Attachment A provide a nice overview of Direct and Indirect costs. For projects in
response to this RFP, the indirect budget should not exceed 21% of the direct project budget, and indirect
offered as match should similarly not exceed 21% of direct match contributed.
Restrictions
LCBP grant funds cannot be used to produce for-profit products or to cover costs associated with regulatory
compliance or direct fundraising efforts. LCBP grant funds also cannot be used for food costs, land purchases,
endowment funds, or lobbying or legislative advocacy of any kind.
LCBP Staff Support
Because they do not participate on the review committees that make award decisions, LCBP staff members are
available to assist applicants in the interpretation of these application guidelines. All applicants are encouraged to
contact the LCBP office before submitting applications. Once awards are announced, LCBP staff can provide
guidance for the development of a more detailed workplan and Quality Assurance Project Plan, as needed, and will
be available throughout the duration of the project.
A. Pollution Prevention & Habitat Conservation Grants
APPLICATION DEADLINE: September 24th, 2015
PURPOSE:
This grant category supports projects up to $20,000. Requests for more than $20,000 will not be considered.
Projects may address any of the priorities identified in Opportunities for Action, but those that address reducing
nonpoint source inputs of phosphorus, toxic substances from urban and/or agricultural areas, or projects that target
improvement of wetland, riparian or aquatic habitat (e.g., riparian plantings or aquatic organism passage projects)
to restore and maintain a healthy and diverse fish & aquatic life community probably will rank higher in the review
process. Projects that incorporate flood-resilient practices will be awarded up to five extra points in the selection
criteria. ALL grant proposals submitted in response to this RFP with field-based components to their project MUST
provide some assurance of invasive species spread prevention measures in their application.
Anticipated number of awards: 15-20
ELIGIBILITY:
 Local government entities including municipal boards, commissions, or committees;
 Public or private schools or other educational institutions;
 Natural Resource Conservation Districts (VT) and Soil and Water Conservation Districts (NY);
 Organizations with 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation status, or citizen groups such as watershed or lake
associations working in coordination with such an organization, that applies on their behalf and will manage
the grant funds; and
 Private businesses, individuals, and state government agencies may collaborate with one of the above
groups, but are not eligible to be the primary applicant under this grant program.
 Regardless of organization type, eligible applicants must either have or be able to acquire a DUNS number.
Please see http://neiwpcc.org/contractors/contractor-docs/DUNSGuidefoContractors.pdf for more
information about DUNS and how to acquire a DUNS number.
2015 LCBP Local Implementation Grants: Application Guidelines, Page 4 of 11
SELECTION CRITERIA:
Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria, based on the information provided in your
application. An external peer review committee will evaluate and rank applications for funding, and make award
recommendations to the Lake Champlain Steering Committee. The Lake Champlain Steering Committee will make
all decisions on project awards. The decisions of the Steering Committee are final and may not be appealed. ALL
grant proposals submitted in response to this RFP with field-based components to their project MUST provide some
assurance of invasive species spread prevention measures in their application.
1. (30 points) Merit of the project and the extent to which the project will result in tangible benefits or
improvements that can be clearly measured toward pollution prevention or reduction or habitat conservation.
2. (15 points) Extent to which the project addresses any of the applicable pollution prevention or habitat
conservation priorities in Opportunities for Action (2010 edition).
3. (20 points) Extent to which the objectives and tasks support the project concept and are feasible within the
proposed schedule. Deliverables should demonstrate task completion and support project continuation.
4. (10 points) Feasibility of the proposed methods.
5. (5 points) Capacity of the organization for carrying out the project.
6. (5 points) Incorporation of a flood resilience component in the project.
7. (5 points) Incorporation of a long-term maintenance plan into the project beyond the life of this grant.
8. (10 points) Appropriateness and clarity of the proposed budget, relative to project objectives. The total funding
request must be within the scope of the grant category. Vague or inflated budgets will not be competitive.
B. Aquatic Invasive Species Spread Prevention Grants
APPLICATION DEADLINE: September 24th, 2015
PURPOSE:
This grant category supports projects up to $15,000 that aim to prevent the introduction of aquatic invasive species
to or from the Lake Champlain Basin and to limit the impact and spread of these species within the Basin. Requests
for more than $15,000 will not be considered. Projects may address any of the priorities identified in Opportunities
for Action, but those that address the following areas will rank higher in the review process:
 Reducing the spread and impact of aquatic invasive species;
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Establishing or expanding early detection and monitoring programs;
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Supporting boat launch or other lake or river access greeter programs designed to inform lake or river users
and prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.
Anticipated number of awards: 6-8
ELIGIBILITY:
 Local government entities including municipal boards, commissions, or committees;
 Public or private schools or other educational institutions;
 Natural Resource Conservation Districts (VT) and Soil and Water Conservation Districts (NY);
 Organizations with 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation status, or citizen groups such as watershed or lake
associations working in coordination with such an organization, that applies on their behalf and will manage
the grant funds; and
 Private businesses, individuals, and state government agencies may collaborate with one of the above
groups, but are not eligible to be the primary applicant under this grant program.
 Regardless of organization type, eligible applicants must either have or be able to acquire a DUNS number.
Please see http://neiwpcc.org/contractors/contractor-docs/DUNSGuidefoContractors.pdf for more
information about DUNS and how to acquire a DUNS number.
2015 LCBP Local Implementation Grants: Application Guidelines, Page 5 of 11
SELECTION CRITERIA:
Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria, based on the information provided in your
application. An external peer review committee will evaluate and rank applications for funding, and make award
recommendations to the Lake Champlain Steering Committee. The Lake Champlain Steering Committee will make
all decisions on project awards. The decisions of the Steering Committee are final and may not be appealed. ALL
grant proposals submitted in response to this RFP with field-based components to their project MUST provide some
assurance of invasive species spread prevention measures in their application.
1. (30 points) Merit of the project and the extent to which the project will result in tangible benefits or
improvements that can be clearly measured toward aquatic invasive species spread prevention.
2. (20 points) Extent to which the project addresses any of the applicable aquatic invasive species spread prevention
priorities in Opportunities for Action (2010 edition).
3. (20 points) Extent to which the objectives and tasks support the project concept and are feasible within the
proposed schedule. Deliverables should demonstrate task completion and support project continuation.
4. (10 points) Feasibility of the proposed methods.
5. (10 points) Capacity of the organization for carrying out the project.
6. (10 points) Appropriateness and clarity of the proposed budget, relative to project objectives. The total funding
request must be within the scope of the grant category. Vague or inflated budgets will not be competitive.
C. Flood Resilience & Climate Change
APPLICATION DEADLINE: September 24th, 2015
PURPOSE:
The Flood Resilience & Climate Change grants provide up to $20,000 to eligible groups to develop collaborative
projects at the municipal level to build resilience capacity to flooding and climate change-related impacts at the
sub-watershed level within the Lake Champlain watershed. The objective is to develop community-level awareness
of flooding and climate change impacts in your watershed and to address issues faced by your watershed within this
topic area. Requests for more than $20,000 will not be considered.
The 2015 Leahy Center Summit held at ECHO in March, provided numerous organizations with resources and
opportunities to develop or refine flood resilience and climate change project proposals. This grant category
welcomes proposals from those organizations and also from other organizations that did not attend the summit.
Anticipated number of awards: 5-6
ELIGIBILITY:
 Local government entities including municipal boards, commissions, or committees;
 Public or private schools or other educational institutions;
 Natural Resource Conservation Districts (VT) and Soil and Water Conservation Districts (NY);
 Organizations with 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation status, or citizen groups such as watershed or lake
associations working in coordination with such an organization, that applies on their behalf and will manage
the grant funds; and
 Private businesses, individuals, and state government agencies may collaborate with one of the above
groups, but are not eligible to be the primary applicant under this grant program.
 Regardless of organization type, eligible applicants must either have or be able to acquire a DUNS number.
Please see http://neiwpcc.org/contractors/contractor-docs/DUNSGuidefoContractors.pdf for more
information about DUNS and how to acquire a DUNS number.
SELECTION CRITERIA:
Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria, based on the information provided in your
application. An external peer review committee will evaluate and rank applications for funding, and make award
2015 LCBP Local Implementation Grants: Application Guidelines, Page 6 of 11
recommendations to the Lake Champlain Steering Committee. The Lake Champlain Steering Committee will make
all decisions on project awards. The decisions of the Steering Committee are final and may not be appealed. ALL
grant proposals submitted in response to this RFP with field-based components to their project MUST provide some
assurance of invasive species spread prevention measures in their application.
1. (30 points) Demonstrated need for this project in the target community or communities.
2. (30 points) Merit of the project and the extent to which the project will result in tangible products or benefits that
can be measured. The proposed methods and capacity of the organization for carrying out the project should be
feasible.
3. (20 points) Extent to which the project encourages collaboration among municipalities and community groups to
address flooding or climate change-related issues in their watershed.
4. (10 points) Knowledge or experience with flooding or climate change-related issues in the Lake Champlain
watershed, and the applicant’s past performance on similar projects, if applicable.
5. (10 points) Appropriateness and clarity of the proposed budget, relative to project objectives. The total funding
request must be within the scope of the grant category. Vague or inflated budgets will not be competitive.
D. Impervious Surface Management in Schools
APPLICATION DEADLINE: September 24th, 2015
PURPOSE:
The Impervious Surface Management in Schools grants provide up to $20,000 to eligible groups to address
stormwater runoff-related projects in K-12 school systems in the Lake Champlain watershed. The objective is to
identify and resolve impervious surface and stormwater runoff issues in public and private school systems, and to
engage students through direct involvement or related demonstration and curricular participation. Requests for
more than $20,000 will not be considered.
Anticipated number of awards: 5-6
ELIGIBILITY:
 Local government entities including municipal boards, commissions, or committees;
 Public or private schools or other educational institutions;
 Natural Resource Conservation Districts (VT) and Soil and Water Conservation Districts (NY);
 Organizations with 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation status, or citizen groups such as watershed or lake
associations working in coordination with such an organization, that applies on their behalf and will manage
the grant funds; and
 Private businesses, individuals, and state government agencies may collaborate with one of the above
groups, but are not eligible to be the primary applicant under this grant program.
 Regardless of organization type, eligible applicants must either have or be able to acquire a DUNS number.
Please see http://neiwpcc.org/contractors/contractor-docs/DUNSGuidefoContractors.pdf for more
information about DUNS and how to acquire a DUNS number.
SELECTION CRITERIA:
Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria, based on the information provided in your
application. An external peer review committee will evaluate and rank applications for funding, and make award
recommendations to the Lake Champlain Steering Committee. The Lake Champlain Steering Committee will make
all decisions on project awards. The decisions of the Steering Committee are final and may not be appealed. ALL
grant proposals submitted in response to this RFP with field-based components to their project MUST provide some
assurance of invasive species spread prevention measures in their application.
1. (30 points) Demonstrated need for this project in the target school system.
2015 LCBP Local Implementation Grants: Application Guidelines, Page 7 of 11
2. (30 points) Merit of the project and the extent to which the project will result in tangible products or benefits that
can be measured. The proposed methods and capacity of the organization for carrying out the project should be
feasible.
3. (15 points) Organizational capacity and knowledge or experience with impervious surface management issues
and techniques to successfully address these issues in the Lake Champlain watershed, and the applicant’s past
performance on similar projects, if applicable.
4. (10 points) Incorporation of a long-term maintenance plan beyond the life of this project.
5. (15 points) Appropriateness and clarity of the proposed budget, relative to project objectives. The total funding
request must be within the scope of the grant category. Vague or inflated budgets will not be competitive. Clarity
and conciseness of proposal, adherence to format and relevance to RFP.
E. Watershed Organization Support for Road Maintenance
APPLICATION DEADLINE: September 24th, 2015
PURPOSE:
The Watershed Organization Support for Road Maintenance grants provide up to $20,000 to eligible groups to
increase organizational capacity to improve programming for maintenance of backroads within the Lake Champlain
watershed. These grants can be used for staff training programming focused on back roads maintenance practices
for water quality, for identification of projects to prioritize for implementation in a watershed, for training of
municipal DPW staff, or other related projects. Requests for more than $20,000 will not be considered.
Anticipated number of awards: 5-7
ELIGIBILITY:
 Local government entities including municipal boards, commissions, or committees;
 Natural Resource Conservation Districts (VT) and Soil and Water Conservation Districts (NY);
 Organizations with 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation status, or citizen groups such as watershed or lake
associations working in coordination with such an organization, that applies on their behalf and will manage
the grant funds; and
 Private businesses, individuals, and state government agencies may collaborate with one of the above
groups, but are not eligible to be the primary applicant under this grant program.
 Regardless of organization type, eligible applicants must either have or be able to acquire a DUNS number.
Please see http://neiwpcc.org/contractors/contractor-docs/DUNSGuidefoContractors.pdf for more
information about DUNS and how to acquire a DUNS number.
SELECTION CRITERIA:
Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria, based on the information provided in your
application. An external peer review committee will evaluate and rank applications for funding, and make award
recommendations to the Lake Champlain Steering Committee. The Lake Champlain Steering Committee will make
all decisions on project awards. The decisions of the Steering Committee are final and may not be appealed. ALL
grant proposals submitted in response to this RFP with field-based components to their project MUST provide some
assurance of invasive species spread prevention measures in their application.
1. (40 points) Potential for this request to strengthen or expand the capacity of your organization to address back
roads-related water quality issues in the Lake Champlain watershed.
2. (20 points) Merit of the project and the extent to which the project will result in tangible products or benefits that
can be measured. The proposed methods and capacity of the organization for carrying out the project should be
feasible.
2015 LCBP Local Implementation Grants: Application Guidelines, Page 8 of 11
3. (10 points) Letter(s) of support from a governing body within the project area, reflecting a commitment to
participate in the project to an appropriate degree.
4. (30 points) Appropriateness and clarity of the proposed budget, relative to project objectives. The total funding
request must be within the scope of the grant category. Vague or inflated budgets will not be competitive. Clarity
and conciseness of proposal, adherence to format and relevance to RFP.
F. Education and Outreach Grants
APPLICATION DEADLINE: September 24th, 2015
PURPOSE:
The Education and Outreach Grants provide up to $10,000 to eligible groups to inform students and/or adults about
key Lake Champlain issues identified in the management plan Opportunities for Action. The objective is to develop
awareness, knowledge, skills and commitment on a basin issue so that informed decisions and constructive actions
will benefit Lake Champlain. Hands-on stewardship activities for citizens are strongly encouraged. Requests for
more than $10,000 will not be considered.
Anticipated number of awards: 10-15
ELIGIBILITY:
 Local government entities including municipal boards, commissions, or committees;
 Public or private schools or other educational institutions;
 Natural Resource Conservation Districts (VT) and Soil and Water Conservation Districts (NY);
 Organizations with 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation status, or citizen groups such as watershed or lake
associations working in coordination with such an organization, that applies on their behalf and will manage
the grant funds; and
 Private businesses, individuals, and state government agencies may collaborate with one of the above
groups, but are not eligible to be the primary applicant under this grant program.
 Regardless of organization type, eligible applicants must either have or be able to acquire a DUNS number.
Please see http://neiwpcc.org/contractors/contractor-docs/DUNSGuidefoContractors.pdf for more
information about DUNS and how to acquire a DUNS number.
SELECTION CRITERIA:
Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria, based on the information provided in your
application. An external peer review committee will evaluate and rank applications for funding, and make award
recommendations to the Lake Champlain Steering Committee. The Lake Champlain Steering Committee will make
all decisions on project awards. The decisions of the Steering Committee are final and may not be appealed. ALL
grant proposals submitted in response to this RFP with field-based components to their project MUST provide some
assurance of invasive species spread prevention measures in their application.
1. (25 points) Extent to which the project will inform adults and students about Lake Champlain issues,
specifically topics included in Opportunities for Action.
2. (20 points) Merit of the project and the extent to which the project will result in tangible products or benefits
that can be measured. The proposed methods and capacity of the organization for carrying out the project
should be feasible.
3. (20 points) Extent to which the project encourages hands-on activities for citizens and/or reaches new
audiences. Extent to which the project enhances other education and outreach efforts in the basin (VT, NY
and QC).
2015 LCBP Local Implementation Grants: Application Guidelines, Page 9 of 11
4. (10 points) Extent to which the applicant demonstrates the commitment to work with other partners and/or
leverage other funding sources to achieve project goals. Multi-jurisdictional projects are encouraged. Projects
taking place on private land should show a clear benefit to the surrounding community.
5. (10 points) Knowledge or experience with education and outreach related to Lake Champlain, and the
applicant’s past performance on similar projects, if applicable.
6. (10 points) Appropriateness and clarity of the proposed budget, relative to project objectives. The total
funding request must be within the scope of the grant category. Vague or inflated budgets will not be
competitive. Clarity and conciseness of proposal, adherence to format and relevance to RFP.
7. (5 points) Ability of the project to gage or evaluate success of the outreach programming in this grant in
terms of effecting personal or societal behavioral change, to improve the water quality of Lake Champlain.
NOTE: Grant funding is not eligible for paying admission fees to institutions.
G. Organizational Support Grants
APPLICATION DEADLINE: August 28th, 2015
PURPOSE:
The Organizational Support grants provide up to $4,000 to support increased organizational capacity and long-term
effectiveness of watershed organizations working to implement elements of Opportunities for Action. Only
organizations with 501(c)(3) status are eligible to apply and documentation of nonprofit status is required. The
intent of this grant category is to assist watershed organizations with the early stages of their development or to
assist established watershed organizations in strengthening their organizational capacity.
Anticipated number of awards: up to 10
ELIGIBILITY:
Specific Qualifying Information: All organizations seeking grants in this category must have nonprofit 501(c)(3)
status, AND must have an organizational mission statement focused on achieving water quality improvements in
the Lake Champlain watershed. Regardless of organization type, eligible applicants must either have or be able to
acquire a DUNS number. Please see http://neiwpcc.org/contractors/contractor-docs/DUNSGuidefoContractors.pdf
for more information about DUNS and how to acquire a DUNS number.
Examples of Eligible Expenses:
 Purchase of software for improved database or financial management (such as GIS or bookkeeping and
accounting software);
 Follow up field assessment checks of success/failure of plantings and other field based projects.
 Strategic planning or other types of board development; and
 Training of staff or volunteers for:
a) volunteer recruitment and management;
b) grant writing;
c) membership recruitment and retention; and
d) field techniques/field data collection.
Proposals for regular on-going operational expenses are not likely to be competitive. Projects involving
collection of environmental data (including surveys or trainings) are not eligible in this category.
SELECTION CRITERIA:
Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria, based on the information provided in your
application. An external peer review committee will evaluate and rank applications for funding, and make award
recommendations to the Lake Champlain Steering Committee. The Lake Champlain Steering Committee will make
all decisions on project awards. The decisions of the Steering Committee are final and may not be appealed.
2015 LCBP Local Implementation Grants: Application Guidelines, Page 10 of 11
1. (40 points) Extent to which the proposal will strengthen the capacity of eligible organizations. (See above for
eligibility guidelines).
2. (30 points) Merit of the proposal and the extent to which the proposal will result in tangible benefits or
improvements that can be clearly measured.
(30 points) Appropriateness and clarity of the proposed budget, relative to project objectives. The total funding
request must be within the scope of the grant category. Vague or inflated budgets will not be considered
competitive.
H. National Heritage Area Grants
Please follow this link to the Champlain Valley National Heritage
FOR PROPOSALS: http://www.champlainvalleynhp.org/index.htm
Partnership
REQUESTS
Partial Funding
Each year, the LCBP receives applications for many more worthwhile projects than its resources can support.
Because the LCBP seeks to support as many of these projects as possible, grant review committees may recommend
offering only a portion of the funding requested in an application. In such cases, the LCBP will provide guidance to
the applicant on how the awarded grant funds should be applied. Vague or inflated budgets will not be competitive.
Other Grant Programs
In addition to these grants, the LCBP sponsors other grant programs. There also are several other funding
opportunities for projects within the Lake Champlain Basin. Please visit the LCBP website
(http://www.lcbp.org/grants) for more information.
2015 LCBP Local Implementation Grants: Application Guidelines, Page 11 of 11